It was no trick, and definitely no treat for taxpayers. On October 31, the Internal Revenue Service announced that a telephone scam aimed at all consumers, but specifically at recent immigrants, was taking place throughout the United States. Victims have been reported in nearly every state.

According to the IRS Newswire, “Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.”

It is important to note that the IRS will NEVER ask for your credit card number over the phone. And payment will never be required in the form of a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. Most often, the IRS will send communication regarding a tax issue via mail. Victims of such schemes can report incidents of misconduct to authorities.

It is unfortunate that scams targeting immigrants exist, but this recent example serves as a reminder that recent immigrants in the U.S. should be vigilant in protecting themselves against harm.